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Virginia Trucking Resources

New Bridge Weight-Restriction Signage

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) hosted an online information session about new statewide bridge weight-restriction signage on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. Click here to watch the recorded livestream. Everyone affected by these changes – those in the trucking industry, business owners and drivers – is encouraged to view this information.

Vehicle Size, Weight, and Equipment Requirements

Virginia has various requirements regarding vehicle size (length, width, and height), weight, as well as equipment and safety devices (e.g. tires, lights etc.) for travel on the commonwealth's highways.

Hazardous Material (HAZMAT) Restrictions

For information on transporting hazardous materials through the privately owned and maintained Chesapeake Bay Bridge- Tunnel, see http://www.cbbt.com/hazmat.html or call 757-331-2960.

Note: The Airport Tunnel in the city of Roanoke (Route 118) is restricted to all hazardous materials. A suggested detour: Hershberger Road (Route 101) to Williamson Road (Route 11), then Peters Creek Road (Route 117).

Weight, Height or Width Restrictions at Bridges and Tunnels

Bridges

Various bridges statewide have restrictions on the weight, height, or width of vehicles. Signs posted on the highway at the affected bridges indicate these restrictions.

Find restricted bridges: For a current listing (updated daily) of bridges statewide posted with restricted weight limits (does not include height or width limitations), click here.

A map of state-maintained bridges with restrictions on height, width as well as weight bridges is available upon request to vdotmapfiles@vdot.virginia.gov. The mapping is updated bi-annually.

Tunnels

Various tunnels have height or width restrictions as follows. Signs posted on the highway at the affected tunnels indicate these restrictions.

Trucks or other vehicles over 13 feet 6 inches high are prohibited at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (I-64 westbound travel direction only), the Midtown Tunnel (Route 58, both travel directions), and the Downtown Tunnel (I-264, both travel directions).

Tractor-trailers wider than 8 feet are also prohibited through the downtown tunnel (I-264) in the westbound travel direction.

To avoid these restrictions use I-664 through the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel. For more information see here.

Restrictions On Length or Type of Vehicle

Various highways have restrictions on the length or type of vehicle (e.g. truck, tractor-trailer etc.). These restrictions are posted on the highway by regulatory signs such as “NO TRUCKS”, “NO THRU TRUCKS” , “NO TRACTOR-TRAILERS”, “NO TRUCKS OVER 65 FEET” etc.

Additionally, some highways are posted with a warning sign such as “TRUCKS NOT RECOMMENDED”, “TRUCKS OVER 65 FEET NOT RECOMMENDED”, “THRU TRUCKS NOT RECOMMENDED” etc. These roads have undesirable conditions and motorists with the indicated vehicles are strongly encouraged to avoid them.

These vehicle and length restrictions are shown on the Virginia Truck Routing Map available here.

Temporary Restrictions and Incidents

Various ad-hoc restrictions can exist at any time on the highway due to weather, incidents or construction, etc. and are indicated by signs etc. posted on the highway.

For a comprehensive map and extensive other information on current highway conditions pertaining to weather, traffic, incidents, temporary restrictions, road closures, etc., go to 511virginia.org or call 511 toll free.

Restrictions on Federal Highways

Various federally maintained highways in Virginia prohibit trucks or commercial vehicles. These are the Blue Ridge Parkway (southwest Virginia), Skyline Drive (northwest Virginia), George Washington Memorial Parkway (D.C. area) and the Colonial Parkway (Williamsburg). These restrictions are posted on the various highways and shown on the Virginia Truck Routing Map.

Designated (STAA) Truck Routes

Certain “STAA” vehicles (Twin trailers, triple saddle mounts and automobile and watercraft transporters) are required to use the designated Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) highway system for travel in Virginia. These highways are not posted with signs indicating they are part of the designated system.

This system includes the National Network (all interstates and certain primary routes), the Virginia Qualifying System (including various other state primary highways) and the Virginia Access System, which provides direct access to certain terminals.

Note: Triple saddle mount combinations more than 75 feet long (up to the maximum allowable length of 97 feet) may only travel on the National Network.

Trucks may travel up to one road-mile of travel off the National Network and Virginia Qualifying Highways (but not the Virginia Access System) to reach terminals, fuel, food, rest and repairs.

These designated highways are on the Virginia Truck Routing Map available here.

A printed version of the map is also available at major safety rest areas and welcome centers.

Special Use Permit

A special use permit can be obtained free of charge where travel by “STAA” vehicles beyond the allowable one road-mile off the designated STAA system is required to reach a terminal for delivery or pick-up.

Contact DMV's Hauling Permit Section at 804-497-7135.

For permission to access terminals off the designated system within cities and towns or in Henrico and Arlington counties, contact locality officials.

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